THE sun has been shining on the first day of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Malvern Spring Festival.

More than 100,000 visitors are expected to descend on the Three Counties Showground, in Malvern, during the course of the show, which runs until Sunday.

And with today's opening day basking in warm sunshine, the omens for the success of this year’s event are looking good.

Jane Furze, the show’s new head, said: “I’m incredibly pleased with the first day so far.

“The sun has been shining and everyone looks as though they’re having a wonderful time.

“We welcome gardening experts such as Alan Titchmarsh, and we’ve got some fantastic exhibits, including a floral fountain the size of a house, and the longest-ever floral marquee we’ve ever had in Malvern, at 190 metres long.”

Now in its 32nd year, the show has become the RHS’s biggest event outside London.

Visitors can look out for two specially-commissioned permanent feature gardens, the first of their kind at the show.

'Queen of herbs', Jekka McVicar, has designed the centrepiece in the new Live Well Zone, whilst last year’s best in show winner, Mark Eveleigh, has created a tree house garden.

Among the celebrities appearing is renowned food writer Mark Diacono, hosting a busy programme of demonstrations from in the Kitchen Garden Theatre.

BBC Gardeners’ World presenters Carol Klein, Adam Frost, Monty Don and Joe Swift will also be sharing their expertise, whilst visitors can check out Mr Swift's plant finder parlour in the floral marquee, featuring talks from award-winning nurseries and gardening experts, including journalist and broadcaster Matthew Biggs.